DocPepz From Singapore, joined May 2001, 1938 posts, RR: 3 Posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1597 times:
Hi All
I am doing some research on the Russian aviation scene and would like to learn more from you guys who are more well versed on the topic than I am.
Pulkovo Airport (LED) handled 6.1mppa in 2007, but it is still significantly less than just before the Soviet Union collapsed. From what I know, St Petersburg is more of a tourism destination than Moscow is, and Rossiya Airlines, which used to own Pulkovo Airport, is the hub carrier there.
Would any of you Russian aviation experts out there be able to guess what would drive the growth of traffic through LED in the coming years?
What state is Rossiya in and are they able to grow aggressively? Are domestic routes within Russia heavily regulated and do Aeroflot or any of the other Russian airlines have the political clout to stop competitors from starting certain routes?
Are transit visas required for pax who wish to fly from Western Europe to Kazakstan/Georgia via Russia?
Also, the growth of LCCs. Are there any LCCs in Russia that pose a threat to any of the legacy Russian carriers?
Hope we can start a discussion on this right here. Thanks!
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 1, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1568 times:
Nycaross From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1522 times:
I wonder if airport code will be changed to reflect St Petersburg rather than the current
LED to reflect Leningrad.
Cornish From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 8187 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1498 times:
Well most of the world's major airport operators are currently bidding to operate Pulkovo as it is in process of being privatised. That should really stimulate the market along with the booming Russian economy.
Yes there is a lot of political interference. Rossiya is expanding but has limited funds to do so and needs to change significantly to be more competitive. But currently it politically influences much of what is or isn't allowed to happen at the airport.
Just when I thought I could see light at the end of the tunnel, it was some B*****d with a torch bringing me more work
DocPepz From Singapore, joined May 2001, 1938 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 1439 times:
Quoting Cornish (Reply 3): Yes there is a lot of political interference. Rossiya is expanding but has limited funds to do so and needs to change significantly to be more competitive. But currently it politically influences much of what is or isn't allowed to happen at the airport.
Very interesting comment. Do you have any examples or anecdotes of how it has exerted influence on the airport operations?
I understand that Rossiya and Pulkovo Airport were one and the same but have since been separated. Thus it's unsurprising that they still have some degree of influence on their landlord who was not too long ago their subsidiary!
How are bilaterals in Russia negotiated? I understand that Transaero has exclusive rights on DME Astana, DME Almaty and DME TLV. No other Russian airline has those rights. How do the Russian authorities decide on the allocation of air rights among Russian carriers? Eg would Rossiya have the first right to any route ex LED? Cos I read somewhere that Transaero is thinking of launching LEDTLV and I'm wondering if Rossiya would try to exert as much political clout as possible to stop that.
Also at the present, Transaero is the only airline that operates intercontinental services from LED to NRT, BKK, PVG??. Is there any chance that a LED-USA service would be launched anytime soon, or are all the Russia-USA air rights maxed out?
Cornish From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 8187 posts, RR: 56 Reply 5, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 1408 times:
Quoting DocPepz (Reply 4): Very interesting comment. Do you have any examples or anecdotes of how it has exerted influence on the airport operations?
I know of some issues but in my current role I'm not in a position to share such stories. Sorry.
Quoting DocPepz (Reply 4): understand that Rossiya and Pulkovo Airport were one and the same but have since been separated. Thus it's unsurprising that they still have some degree of influence on their landlord who was not too long ago their subsidiary!
Quoting DocPepz (Reply 4): How are bilaterals in Russia negotiated? I understand that Transaero has exclusive rights on DME Astana, DME Almaty and DME TLV. No other Russian airline has those rights. How do the Russian authorities decide on the allocation of air rights among Russian carriers? Eg would Rossiya have the first right to any route ex LED? Cos I read somewhere that Transaero is thinking of launching LEDTLV and I'm wondering if Rossiya would try to exert as much political clout as possible to stop that.
Rossiya don't get priority, but given their desire to build up their hub at LED they would naturally have a strong position in any application.
Quoting DocPepz (Reply 4): Also at the present, Transaero is the only airline that operates intercontinental services from LED to NRT, BKK, PVG??. Is there any chance that a LED-USA service would be launched anytime soon, or are all the Russia-USA air rights maxed out?
LED-USA is a natural progression as part of the expansion of routes out of LED. I can see it coming in the near future. I have a good idea who might operate it too.
Just when I thought I could see light at the end of the tunnel, it was some B*****d with a torch bringing me more work
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, RR: 30 Reply 6, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 1390 times:
Quoting Nycaross (Reply 2): I wonder if airport code will be changed to reflect St Petersburg rather than the current
LED to reflect Leningrad.
I don't think it would be changed. No reason too. Aeroflot still had the old Soviet Emblem for it's logom and not many people care about that. In fact they were for it. A good chunk of Russians still refer to St. Pete's at Leningrad, it just flows naturally off the tongue. So I really don't see a major need.
Quoting DocPepz (Reply 4): Is there any chance that a LED-USA service would be launched anytime soon
I'm quite certain that when Delta has the chance, they will jump for this oppurtunity. There is a lot of potential. With SVO doing as well as it does with 2 daily, LED might support at least one.
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